ESPN: Pats to franchise Cassel

The New England Patriots have decided to ensure that quarterback Matt Cassel won't be an unrestricted free agent, as scheduled in March.

Sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the Patriots will use a franchise tag on Cassel that will give the team two options: Trade him if all goes well with Tom Brady's rehabilitation from a knee injury or keep him because all is not well with Brady.

The Patriots' intention to franchise Cassel was first reported by the National Football Post.

That would mean the Patriots would have about $29 million in salary cap space tied up in two quarterbacks, with Brady earning almost $15 million and Cassel guaranteed over $14 million.

However, the cap jumps to $123 million per team, which gives the Patriots $94 million to manage the rest of their roster.

Re: ESPN: Pats to franchise Cassel

Wouldn't it have been better just to stick the transition tag on him? Paying him top 5 $ after just one season seems like a major stretch to me. Though from everything I've been hearing, doubt Brady will be ready next season. Only way this makes sense is if they are planning on getting rid of Brady. All this ensures that NO ONE will sign him, because who's going to give up 2 first round picks....my bad, there's still Dallas and Oakland in the league. But anyhow, this could cost the Pats some much needed cap room.